JP2023545569A - Method and system for controlling an electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads. The method includes obtaining an existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush and identifying a new replaceable brush head when the electric toothbrush is provided with the new replaceable brush head. A new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head is identified, and the new mode of operation is different from the existing mode of operation. Input is requested from the user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to a new mode of operation. The operating mode of the electric toothbrush is then changed to a new operating mode or maintained at the existing operating mode based on user input.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of electric tooth brushing devices, and more particularly to the field of controlling electric toothbrushes.

Many electric toothbrushes can be operated according to several different modes of operation. Those different operating modes of the electric toothbrush are automatically changed based on the replaceable brush head attached to the electric toothbrush.

When a user first begins using an electric toothbrush, an operating mode is generally applied to the electric toothbrush based on the toothbrush's factory settings and the currently installed replaceable brush head. If the user changes the current brush head to a different brush head that has a different recommended operating mode associated with it, the electric toothbrush automatically changes the current operating mode to the different recommended operating mode.

However, the user may not be aware that the new replaceable brush head has a recommended mode of operation that is different from the current mode of operation of the electric toothbrush. Therefore, automatically changing the operating mode of an electric toothbrush may result in unexpected changes leading to user confusion and reduced brushing effectiveness using the electric toothbrush.

Therefore, there is a need for a way to control the operation of an electric toothbrush without confusing the user.

US Patent Application No. 2007/079455 discloses a toothbrush that includes an ultrasonic transducer for producing vibrations at sonic frequencies. The device head has an identifier associated with the operating protocol such that, for example, at the start of an operating cycle, the associated operating protocol is executed.

US Patent Application No. 2020/029680 discloses an electric toothbrush that identifies the attachment of the toothbrush head. The user defines desired output characteristics for the toothbrush head.

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling operation of an electric toothbrush having a replaceable brush head, the computer-implemented method comprising:
obtaining an existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush;
receiving an indication from the brush head identification unit that a new replaceable brush head has been identified as provided to the electric toothbrush;
identifying a new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head, the new mode of operation being different from an existing mode of operation;
controlling the user interface to prompt a user for input to confirm that operation of the electric toothbrush should change to a new mode of operation;
changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the new mode of operation when the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
maintaining the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush if the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide user input. , a computer-implemented method is provided.

The method provides a means for the user to always be able to control the operation of the electric toothbrush, even when new replaceable brush heads with different associated operating modes are installed. Thus, the method ensures that the user is always aware of changes in the operation of the electric toothbrush before they are made.

In other words, the operation of the toothbrush is prevented from changing automatically without the user's consent.

In this way, user embarrassment resulting from unexpected changes in the operation of the electric toothbrush is avoided and more effective and consistent brushing is achieved.

In one embodiment, the new mode of operation is
new brushing routine,
New brushing strength and
New brushing time and
New brushing amplitude and
a new brushing frequency;

In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes:
receiving additional user input to adjust the new mode of operation;
updating the new mode of operation based on additional user input, thereby generating the updated mode of operation;
and changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the updated mode of operation.

In this way, the user can adjust the operating mode of the toothbrush to suit the user's needs, and the updated operating mode is maintained for subsequent brushing sessions.

In one embodiment, identifying the new replaceable brush head includes:
obtaining a brush head identification code from the new replaceable brush head;
identifying a new replaceable brush head based on the brush head identification code.

According to an example according to an aspect of the invention, the computer program code means includes a computer program code means that, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, causes the processing system to perform all steps of the computer-implemented method described above. A computer program is provided.

According to an example according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a processing unit for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush having a replaceable brush head, the processing unit comprising:
Obtaining existing operating modes of electric toothbrushes;
receiving an indication from a brush head identification unit that a new replaceable brush head has been identified as provided to the electric toothbrush;
identifying a new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head, the new mode of operation being different from an existing mode of operation;
controlling the user interface to prompt a user for input confirming that operation of the electric toothbrush should change to a new mode of operation;
changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the new mode of operation when the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
maintaining an existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush if the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide user input; , a processing unit is provided.

According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush having a replaceable brush head, the system comprising:
an electric toothbrush comprising a brush head identification unit for obtaining an identifier of a new replaceable brush head;
a processing unit as described above, the processing unit being in communication with a brush head identification unit, wherein identifying the new replaceable brush head is based on an identifier of the new replaceable brush head;
a user interface in communication with the processing unit, the user interface comprising:
providing a request to the user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change;
A system is provided comprising: a user interface; and receiving user input in response to a request.

In one embodiment, the new mode of operation is
new brushing routine,
New brushing strength and
new brushing times.

In one embodiment, the processing unit includes:
receiving additional user input to adjust the new operating mode;
updating the new operating mode based on additional user input, thereby generating an updated operating mode;
and changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the updated mode of operation.

In one embodiment, the processing unit is incorporated into an electric toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a charging unit for receiving the electric toothbrush, and the processing system is integrated into the charging unit.

In one embodiment, the processing unit is incorporated into a remote processing system, and the electric toothbrush further comprises a communication unit in communication with the remote processing system.

In a further embodiment, the user interface is integrated into a remote processing system.

In one embodiment, the remote processing system includes:
smartphone,
Built into smart devices such as smart watches and smart home devices.

In one embodiment, the brush head identification unit includes:
a radio frequency identification tag reader for reading radio frequency identification tags on new replaceable brush heads;
and a visual code reader for reading a visual code corresponding to the new replaceable brush head.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to more clearly show how it may be carried out, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

1 illustrates a method for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads; FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an electric toothbrush, according to one aspect of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an electric toothbrush system, according to one aspect of the invention. FIG. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an electric toothbrush system according to a further aspect of the invention.

The present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

The detailed description and examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. I hope you understand that. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the figures are schematic only and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

The present invention provides a method for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads. The method includes obtaining an existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush and identifying a new replaceable brush head when the electric toothbrush is provided with the new replaceable brush head. A new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head is identified, and the new mode of operation is different from the existing mode of operation.

Input is requested from the user confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to a new mode of operation. The operation of the electric toothbrush is changed to the new mode of operation when the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should be changed to the new mode of operation. If the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide user input, the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush is maintained.

FIG. 1 shows a method 100 for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads.

The method begins in step 110 by obtaining the existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush. Existing operation may be any current operating mode of the electric toothbrush. For example, existing modes of operation are associated with existing replaceable brush heads attached to electric toothbrushes. Alternatively, the existing mode of operation may be the standard recommended two minute brushing routine.

At step 120, when the electric toothbrush is provided with a new replaceable brush head, the new replaceable brush head is identified. Identifying the new replaceable brush head includes obtaining a brush head identification code from the new replaceable brush head and identifying the new replaceable brush head based on the brush head identification code. Examples of brush head identification codes are described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

At step 130, a new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head is identified. The new operating mode includes one or more of a new brushing routine, a new brushing intensity, a new brushing time, a new brushing amplitude, and a new brushing frequency. The new mode of operation may include any combination of changes to the electric toothbrush's mode of operation. For example, a new mode of operation includes a new brushing frequency and a new brushing amplitude or pressure. Alternatively, the new mode of operation includes new brushing times and new brushing frequencies, such as more frequent but shorter brushing sessions. The method continues if the new mode of operation is different from the existing mode of operation. If the new mode of operation is the same as the existing mode of operation, no change in mode of operation occurs and no user input is required.

At step 140, input is requested from the user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should be changed to a new mode of operation. Input may be requested from the user in several ways, examples of which are described below with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

If the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should be changed to a new mode of operation, the method proceeds to step 150 and the operation of the electric toothbrush is changed to the new mode of operation.

If the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to a new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide input, the method proceeds to step 160 and changes to the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush. is maintained.

By way of example, when a user first begins using an electric toothbrush, an operating mode is selected based on the electric toothbrush's factory settings and the installed replaceable brush head. If the user then changes the existing replaceable brush head to a new replaceable brush head with a different recommended brushing routine or a new operating mode, the existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush may cause confusion to the user. Avoid changing automatically.

Rather, a request is made to the user to provide input confirming that the user wishes to change the operation of the electric toothbrush. For example, if an electric toothbrush is connected to a smart device belonging to a user, a request is made to the user, eg, via an application or other software on the smart device. The request includes a recommendation to change the operating mode based on the new replaceable brush head. If the user does not choose to change from the existing mode of operation to the new mode of operation, the electric toothbrush remains in the existing mode of operation with the new replaceable brush head. If the user chooses to change from an existing mode of operation to a new mode of operation, the mode of operation of the electric toothbrush changes accordingly.

If the user provides a new replaceable brush head that can only be used for one specific function, e.g. a tongue care brush head for performing a tongue care routine, the provision of said new replaceable brush head , is interpreted as a confirmatory user input indicating a desire to change the operating mode of the electric toothbrush to a new operating mode. In other words, if the new replaceable brush head can only be used for one specific function, the user may not be given a separate request to confirm the change in operating mode.

After the user confirms that the electric toothbrush's operating mode should change to a new operating mode, the user may wish to further adjust the new operating mode to better suit the user's individual needs. In this case, the method includes the steps of receiving additional user input to adjust the new mode of operation and updating the new mode of operation based on the additional user input, thereby generating the updated mode of operation. It further includes a step. The operation of the electric toothbrush is then changed to the updated operating mode.

Additional user input may be provided in a manner similar to the user input confirming that the operating mode of the electric toothbrush should be changed, or using any other suitable user input. For example, a user provides user input via a user interface provided on the electric toothbrush itself, on an accessory to the electric toothbrush, such as a charging unit, or on a smart device connected to the electric toothbrush.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an electric toothbrush 200 forming at least part of a system for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads. The electric toothbrush includes a body portion 210 and a replaceable brush head 220 that is adapted to be placed in a user's mouth to perform an oral care routine. The body portion 210 of the electric toothbrush 200 includes a battery 230 and a drive unit 240 for operating the replaceable brush head 220.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, electric toothbrush 200 comprises a processing unit 250 for controlling the operation of the electric toothbrush. The processing unit is adapted to implement any of the methods described above with reference to FIG.

More particularly, the processing unit 250 is configured to obtain the existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush, to identify a new replaceable brush head when the electric toothbrush is provided with the new replaceable brush head, and to identify the new replaceable brush head when the electric toothbrush is provided with the new replaceable brush head. identifying a new mode of operation associated with the replaceable brush head, the new mode of operation being different from an existing mode of operation, and changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the new mode of operation; the behavior of the electric toothbrush when the user provides input that confirms that the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation. to the new mode of operation and the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide any user input. is adapted to maintain the operating mode of the

The electric toothbrush 200 further comprises a brush head identification unit 260 adapted to obtain an identifier of the replaceable brush head 220, and the identification of a new replaceable brush head and a new mode of operation is based on the obtained identifier.

For example, replaceable brush head 220 includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 270, in which case identification unit 260 includes an RFID reader. When a new replaceable brush head is applied to the body portion 210 of the electric toothbrush, the RFID tag is brought within range of the RFID tag reader of the identification unit. The replaceable brush head identifier is then read from the RFID tag by the identification unit and provided to the processing unit 250 for identifying the new replaceable brush head and the corresponding new mode of operation. For example, an electric toothbrush includes a memory unit containing a look-up table of identifiers, replaceable brush heads corresponding to the identifiers, and operating modes corresponding to the replaceable brush heads.

Alternatively, the electric toothbrush comprises a communication unit in communication with a remote processing unit, which is adapted to perform the same operations as processing unit 250 described above. The replaceable brush head identifier obtained by the identification unit is communicated to a remote processing unit for identifying a new replaceable brush head and a corresponding new mode of operation.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, electric toothbrush 200 is adapted to provide a request to a user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change and to receive user input in response to the request. , a user interface 280.

For example, the user interface includes one or more of a light source for communicating requests via optical signals, a display for providing visual requests, a speaker for providing audible requests, and the like. In addition, the user interface may include buttons, user input includes audible user input, microphones, user input includes tactile user input, touch screens, etc. including one or more of the following.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a system 300 for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush 310 with a replaceable brush head 312. Electric toothbrush 310 comprises one or more of the components described above with reference to FIG. As explained above, the electric toothbrush is equipped with an identification unit 315 for obtaining an identifier from the replaceable brush head.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, system 300 includes a charging unit 320 adapted to receive and charge electric toothbrush 310. Furthermore, the charging unit 320 comprises a processing unit 330 implemented as described above with reference to FIG. In other words, the processing unit is provided in the charging unit of the system rather than in the electric toothbrush itself. The electric toothbrush identification unit is brought into communication with the processing unit when the electric toothbrush is brought into contact with the charging unit.

Electric toothbrush 310 and charging unit 320 may further include a communication unit for establishing wireless communication between the electric toothbrush and the charging unit when they are not physically connected.

Furthermore, the charging unit comprises a user interface 340 implemented as described above with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a system 400 for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush 410 with a replaceable brush head 412, the electric toothbrush being in wireless communication with a remote processing unit in the form of a smart device 420. A communication unit 415 is provided. Note that any remote processing unit capable of communicating with a communication unit may be used to perform the methods herein. For example, at least a portion of the remote processing unit may be incorporated into a computer, laptop, tablet, server, distributed processing network, etc.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, smart device 420 is a smartphone, but smart devices include one or more of a smartphone, a smart watch, and a smart home device.

One or more of the processing unit, the user interface, and the identification unit may be integrated into the smart device.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the electric toothbrush comprises an identification unit 430 for obtaining an identifier from the replaceable brush head, as explained above with reference to FIG. However, the identification unit can be integrated into the smart device, for example by using the smart device's camera to scan a visual code on the replaceable brush head, such as a QR code or barcode. The visual code may be provided on the brush head itself or on the packaging element of the replaceable brush head. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit and user interface are integrated into smart device 420.

As an example, when a user gives the electric toothbrush 410 a new replaceable brush head 412, the identification unit 430 obtains the replaceable brush head's identifier, for example by reading the RFID tag on the replaceable brush head. The identifier is then provided to the communication unit 415 to be communicated to the connected smart device 420, such as the user's smartphone.

Upon receiving the replaceable brush head identifier, the smart device, through the processing unit of the smart device, identifies a new replaceable brush head based on the received identifier and creates a new replaceable brush head corresponding to the identified replaceable brush head. Adapted to identify the mode of operation. For example, the smart device may access the smart device's local memory or remotely, such as a remote server accessed via the Internet, to identify a new replaceable brush head and a new operating mode based on the resulting identifier. Make use of lookup tables stored in memory where possible.

Upon identifying the new mode of operation, the smart device provides input to the user to confirm that the mode of operation of electric toothbrush 410 should change from the existing mode of operation to the new mode of operation. The request may be provided, for example, via an application or other software provided on the smart device. User input may be any suitable input from a user, such as providing touch input on a touch-enabled surface of a smart device, pressing a button on a smart device, or providing audible input to be received by a microphone on a smart device. including.

If the user provides an input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to a new mode of operation, the smart device, via the communication unit 415, determines that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation. Communicate certain information to the electric toothbrush.

If the user provides an input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to a new mode of operation, the smart device, via the communication unit 415, indicates that the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush should be maintained. to the electric toothbrush.

If the user does not provide any input, for example because the user did not see a request, the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush will be maintained until the user provides input.

Note that any combination of the embodiments described in FIGS. 2-4 may also be achieved. For example, the identification unit is integrated into an electric toothbrush, the processing unit is integrated into a charging unit, the user interface is integrated into a smart device, and each component is linked by one or more communication units.

The system described above may receive additional user input to adjust a new operating mode of the electric toothbrush. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user may provide additional input to the smart device to indicate desired adjustments to the operating mode of the electric toothbrush.

The system then updates the new operating mode based on the additional user input in a manner similar to that described above, thereby generating the updated operating mode and updating the operation of the electric toothbrush. change to the specified operating mode.

Variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and practiced by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the words "comprising" or "comprising" do not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular form of an element does not exclude a plurality.

A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims.

The mere fact that several measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The computer program may be stored/distributed on any suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied with or as part of other hardware, but may be stored/distributed over the Internet or other wired or may be distributed in other forms, such as via a wireless telecommunications system.

Where the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or this specification, it is intended that the term "adapted to" be equivalent to the term "configured to". Please note that

Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (15)

A computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads, the computer-implemented method comprising:
obtaining an existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush;
receiving an indication from a brush head identification unit that a new replaceable brush head has been identified as provided to the electric toothbrush;
identifying a new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head, the new mode of operation being different from the existing mode of operation;
controlling a user interface to request input from a user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the new mode of operation if the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush if the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide user input; A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: The new operating mode is
new brushing routine,
New brushing strength and
New brushing time and
New brushing amplitude and
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, comprising one or more of: a new brushing frequency. receiving additional user input to adjust the new mode of operation;
updating the new mode of operation based on the additional user input, thereby generating an updated mode of operation;
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the updated mode of operation. identifying the new replaceable brush head;
obtaining a brush head identification code from the new replaceable brush head;
and identifying the new replaceable brush head based on the brush head identification code. A computer comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, causes said processing system to carry out all the steps of the computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. program. A processing unit for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads, the processing unit comprising:
obtaining an existing operating mode of the electric toothbrush;
receiving an indication from a brush head identification unit that a new replaceable brush head has been identified as provided to the electric toothbrush;
identifying a new mode of operation associated with the new replaceable brush head, the new mode of operation being different from the existing mode of operation;
controlling a user interface to request input from a user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the new mode of operation when the user provides input confirming that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change to the new mode of operation;
the existing mode of operation of the electric toothbrush if the user provides input indicating that the operation of the electric toothbrush should not change to the new mode of operation, or if the user does not provide user input; A processing unit that maintains and performs A system for controlling the operation of an electric toothbrush with replaceable brush heads, the system comprising:
an electric toothbrush comprising a brush head identification unit for obtaining an identifier of a new replaceable brush head;
7. The processing unit of claim 6, wherein the processing unit is in communication with the brush head identification unit, and identifying the new replaceable brush head is based on the identifier of the new replaceable brush head. a processing unit;
a user interface in communication with the processing unit, the user interface comprising:
providing a request to a user to confirm that the operation of the electric toothbrush should change;
a user interface, the system comprising: receiving user input in response to the request; and a user interface. The new operating mode is
new brushing routine,
New brushing strength and
8. The system of claim 7, including one or more of: new brushing times. The processing unit,
receiving additional user input to adjust the new operating mode;
updating the new mode of operation based on the additional user input, thereby generating an updated mode of operation;
9. The system of claim 7 or 8, further comprising changing the operation of the electric toothbrush to the updated mode of operation. 10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the processing unit is integrated into the electric toothbrush. 10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the system further comprises a charging unit for receiving the electric toothbrush, and a processing system is integrated into the charging unit. 10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the processing unit is integrated into a remote processing system and the electric toothbrush further comprises a communication unit in communication with the remote processing system. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the user interface is integrated into the remote processing system. The remote processing system includes:
smartphone,
14. The system of claim 13, incorporated into a smart device, such as a smart watch and a smart home device. The brush head identification unit
a radio frequency identification tag reader for reading a radio frequency identification tag on the new replaceable brush head;
15. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 14, comprising one or more of a visual code reader for reading a visual code corresponding to the new replaceable brush head.

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